Bibb County homeowners are finding out this week how the county set their property values and some aren't too happy. One former assessor is helping dozens of people file appeals this year.
Bill Carswell says his house needs some upgrades. "An electrician probably painted the house -- the painter did the electrical," said Carswell.
He says despite the leaks in his roof and cracks in the molding, Macon-Bibb County's tax assessors office says his home's value has increased more than $13,000.
He says property values are up across his neighborhood, Riverside Park. He used to work for the Macon-Bibb County Tax Assessors Office.
Andrea Crutchfield, chief assessor for Macon-Bibb County says you can file an appeal if you think your house is worth more or less than the county's appraisal.
"We have may not have had the data correct. That could have warranted a change, something like that," said Crutchfield.
Crutchfield says they appraise your home by looking at the outside and comparing it to previous sales in the neighborhood.
"That's what the appeal process is for, in order for you to let us know things about the property that we do not know," said Crutchfield.
"I know the neighborhood. 99% of the houses that have sold have been remodeled. Because they were remodeled, it's not fair to change everyone else's value," said Carswell.
Carswell posted on the app "Nextdoor" saying he would help people file appeals. He got more than 50 people asking him to research their neighborhood to see if they can get their home value adjusted.
"With 3 years of increase in our neighborhood and other neighborhoods and then 3 years of millage rate increase, I want to fight for the little guy who is trying to hold on to what they got," aaid Carswell.
If you'd like to file an appeal, you have until June 24th.
The assessors office will look at your neighborhood and then decide if their assessment is fair. If they feel it is, the next step is the Board of Equalization, who can rule on your property value.
Crutchfield says nearly a thousand home owners in Macon saw increases in property values this year.